Healed Steelers glad it's Ravens who are hurting

mesaSteeler · 01-14-2009, 05:40 PM

Healed Steelers glad it's Ravens who are hurting
By ALAN ROBINSON
- AP Sports Writer
http://www.centredaily.com/305/story/1061258.html

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin routinely starts his weekly news conference by running down his injury list. The last couple of weeks, that's taken only a few seconds.

The Steelers are right where every NFL team wants to be in January - not only in the conference championship game, but healthy and fairly well-rested. They're hoping it makes a major difference against the beaten-up Ravens in the AFC championship game Sunday, given how physical and hard-hitting their games traditionally are.

At least on Wednesday, there was no comparison between the two - health-wise, that is:

RAVENS: Linebacker Antwan Barnes (shoulder, out), defensive tackle Justin Bannan (foot), wide receiver Mark Clayton (thigh), linebacker Jarret Johnson (calf), wide receiver Derrick Mason (knee), fullback Le'Ron McClain (ankle), cornerback Samari Rolle (thigh), linebacker Terrell Suggs (shoulder).

That's a lot of talent sitting out practice.

"It kind of would put them in a disadvantage out there, not having a veteran guy like Samari," Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said Wednesday. "We're healthy and they're banged up, and hopefully we can go out there and exploit that and try to make some plays in their secondary."

Suggs' status also is uncertain, but Ward is convinced he will play.

"Suggs, he's a talent, next to Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, he's really the (Ravens') heart and soul," Ward said. "He's the one who gets guys going. He's got a constant motor and just doesn't stop. I'll bet anything he's going to be on the field. There's no way he can miss this game."

Still, there often is a difference between playing well and playing hurt, and that's where the Steelers are hoping they own the edge. They remember last season when they started 9-3, were thinned by injuries and lost four of their final five, including a wild-card game to Jacksonville.

"Last year we were just really, really beat up," said Polamalu, who is certain he will play. "We were worn down."

Now, the Steelers are as healthy as they've been since their opener, as evidenced by a running game that ranked in the lower third in the league all season but has gained 341 yards in the last two games - 165 against the Chargers in a 35-24 divisional round win Sunday.

Parker, slowed by knee and shoulder injuries since the third week of the season, ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns against San Diego, the most playoff yards by a Steelers running back in 33 years. Parker also had 116 yards against Cleveland to end the regular season Dec. 28, giving him consecutive 100-yard games for the first time since Dec. 9-16, 2007.

"I definitely feel real good. I'm about at full speed and that's really all that counts," Parker said.

It's easy to understand Parker's importance to the Steelers. Their playoff record with him in the lineup since 2004: 5-0. Without him: 0-1.

The Steelers certainly need to get Parker going against the Ravens because, as Ward said, the Steelers' offense gets out of character when the running game doesn't set up the passing game.

But the Ravens have effectively controlled Parker, limiting him to a 43 yards per game average and no 100-yard games in six games. He has missed two of the last three Ravens-Steelers game, and was held to 47 yards on 14 carries last month in Baltimore.

Another factor: The Ravens' bye week was moved because of Hurricane Ike, so this will be the 18th consecutive week they've played. The Steelers had a bye the weekend of Oct. 12, didn't play some players the entire game against Cleveland, then had a bye the first weekend of January, when the Ravens played the Dolphins in the wild-card round.

"A long season, it takes its toll on everybody," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said. "It would seem (to help the Steelers), but they're fighting for the same thing we're fighting for. It doesn't matter all the stuff we did throughout the whole season, it's going to come down to this game. It doesn't matter when you had the bye week or what weeks you had off. It's all going to be right in this one game."

Preacher · 01-14-2009, 05:54 PM

It seems our boys aren't buying into that "tired" scenario. Perfect. Go out there and smack em down!

lilyoder6 · 01-14-2009, 05:55 PM

thats a good article.. i mean having a bye in week 2.. it's gonna to affect u sometime

mesaSteeler · 01-14-2009, 06:16 PM

The fact that the Ratbirds had their bye week the second week of the season due to a hurricane is just further proof that God love the Steelers and hates the Ratbirds.

Crow-Magnon · 01-14-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mesaSteeler

The fact that the Ratbirds had their bye week the second week of the season due to a hurricane is just further proof that God love the Steelers and hates the Ratbirds.

Yes, God sent that hurricane into Texas and took lives and destroyed millions in property damage just so the Steelers could win another SB ring.

mesaSteeler · 01-14-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crow-Magnon

Yes, God sent that hurricane into Texas and took lives and destroyed millions in property damage just so the Steelers could win another SB ring.

Get a sense of humor.

Crow-Magnon · 01-14-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mesaSteeler

Get a sense of humor.

Sorry, guess I just didn't pick up on the humor in your post.

Really, was any there?

westcoastransplant · 01-14-2009, 07:01 PM

This is one of the few times I can remember coming into an AFCCG and have this many healthy bodies. I think this is the area where Tomlin has improved by leaps and bounds from last season. You could see how physically drained they were in the playoffs.

markymarc · 01-15-2009, 06:28 AM

Big difference between last season and this year. Big advantage being this healthy at playoff time.

Steel4eva · 01-15-2009, 12:37 PM

we will shove it right down their throats!

GO STEELERS!

01-14-2009, 05:40 PM	#1
mesaSteeler A Son of Martha Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 7,976 Gender: Male Member Number: 10438 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Healed Steelers glad it's Ravens who are hurting Healed Steelers glad it's Ravens who are hurting By ALAN ROBINSON - AP Sports Writer http://www.centredaily.com/305/story/1061258.html PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin routinely starts his weekly news conference by running down his injury list. The last couple of weeks, that's taken only a few seconds. The Steelers are right where every NFL team wants to be in January - not only in the conference championship game, but healthy and fairly well-rested. They're hoping it makes a major difference against the beaten-up Ravens in the AFC championship game Sunday, given how physical and hard-hitting their games traditionally are. At least on Wednesday, there was no comparison between the two - health-wise, that is: RAVENS: Linebacker Antwan Barnes (shoulder, out), defensive tackle Justin Bannan (foot), wide receiver Mark Clayton (thigh), linebacker Jarret Johnson (calf), wide receiver Derrick Mason (knee), fullback Le'Ron McClain (ankle), cornerback Samari Rolle (thigh), linebacker Terrell Suggs (shoulder). That's a lot of talent sitting out practice. "It kind of would put them in a disadvantage out there, not having a veteran guy like Samari," Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said Wednesday. "We're healthy and they're banged up, and hopefully we can go out there and exploit that and try to make some plays in their secondary." Suggs' status also is uncertain, but Ward is convinced he will play. "Suggs, he's a talent, next to Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, he's really the (Ravens') heart and soul," Ward said. "He's the one who gets guys going. He's got a constant motor and just doesn't stop. I'll bet anything he's going to be on the field. There's no way he can miss this game." Still, there often is a difference between playing well and playing hurt, and that's where the Steelers are hoping they own the edge. They remember last season when they started 9-3, were thinned by injuries and lost four of their final five, including a wild-card game to Jacksonville. "Last year we were just really, really beat up," said Polamalu, who is certain he will play. "We were worn down." Now, the Steelers are as healthy as they've been since their opener, as evidenced by a running game that ranked in the lower third in the league all season but has gained 341 yards in the last two games - 165 against the Chargers in a 35-24 divisional round win Sunday. Parker, slowed by knee and shoulder injuries since the third week of the season, ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns against San Diego, the most playoff yards by a Steelers running back in 33 years. Parker also had 116 yards against Cleveland to end the regular season Dec. 28, giving him consecutive 100-yard games for the first time since Dec. 9-16, 2007. "I definitely feel real good. I'm about at full speed and that's really all that counts," Parker said. It's easy to understand Parker's importance to the Steelers. Their playoff record with him in the lineup since 2004: 5-0. Without him: 0-1. The Steelers certainly need to get Parker going against the Ravens because, as Ward said, the Steelers' offense gets out of character when the running game doesn't set up the passing game. But the Ravens have effectively controlled Parker, limiting him to a 43 yards per game average and no 100-yard games in six games. He has missed two of the last three Ravens-Steelers game, and was held to 47 yards on 14 carries last month in Baltimore. Another factor: The Ravens' bye week was moved because of Hurricane Ike, so this will be the 18th consecutive week they've played. The Steelers had a bye the weekend of Oct. 12, didn't play some players the entire game against Cleveland, then had a bye the first weekend of January, when the Ravens played the Dolphins in the wild-card round. "A long season, it takes its toll on everybody," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said. "It would seem (to help the Steelers), but they're fighting for the same thing we're fighting for. It doesn't matter all the stuff we did throughout the whole season, it's going to come down to this game. It doesn't matter when you had the bye week or what weeks you had off. It's all going to be right in this one game."

01-14-2009, 05:54 PM	#2
Preacher Water Boy Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3 Member Number: 16327 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Healed Steelers glad it's Ravens who are hurting It seems our boys aren't buying into that "tired" scenario. Perfect. Go out there and smack em down!

01-14-2009, 05:55 PM	#3
lilyoder6 locked behind Xanax bars Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Playin' touch football, on marijuana street Posts: 6,388 Gender: Male Member Number: 2568 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Healed Steelers glad it's Ravens who are hurting thats a good article.. i mean having a bye in week 2.. it's gonna to affect u sometime __________________ Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy ~ Ben Franklin Freedom: some use it, Everyone enjoys it, A few defend it.

01-14-2009, 06:16 PM	#4
mesaSteeler A Son of Martha Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 7,976 Gender: Male Member Number: 10438 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Healed Steelers glad it's Ravens who are hurting The fact that the Ratbirds had their bye week the second week of the season due to a hurricane is just further proof that God love the Steelers and hates the Ratbirds.

01-14-2009, 07:01 PM	#8
westcoastransplant Bench Warmer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: No Michigan Posts: 200 Gender: Male Member Number: 11289 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Healed Steelers glad it's Ravens who are hurting This is one of the few times I can remember coming into an AFCCG and have this many healthy bodies. I think this is the area where Tomlin has improved by leaps and bounds from last season. You could see how physically drained they were in the playoffs. __________________ It's not whether you win or lose: it's how drunk you get. -Homer Simpson

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01-15-2009, 06:28 AM	#9
markymarc Team Owner Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,589 Member Number: 2292 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Healed Steelers glad it's Ravens who are hurting Big difference between last season and this year. Big advantage being this healthy at playoff time.

01-15-2009, 12:37 PM	#10
Steel4eva Bench Warmer Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 152 Member Number: 11440 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Healed Steelers glad it's Ravens who are hurting we will shove it right down their throats! GO STEELERS!

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